Balatonfüred, the vibrant Lake Balaton town, kicks off 2026 with a whirlwind of festivals, concerts, cultural shows, foodie feasts, and family adventures across multiple venues. From boat cruises and comedy nights to organ recitals and wine competitions, this calendar packs non-stop excitement from late March through August. Movie screenings pop up weekly at local cinemas, while scenic boat trips and walks keep the lakeside buzz alive. Grab your tickets early for these highlights and dive into the fun.
March Kickoff
Movie screenings run March 23-29 and March 30-April 5. On March 25 at 5:30 p.m., Zoltán Tömpe presents his book at the House of Jewish Excellences. March 27 brings Annamária Tari’s talk “Charged to Empty: Digital Hedonism and Analog Depression” at the Balatonfüred Congress Center—free for upper elementary and high school students. March 28 features a chat with Dóra Szinetár, the welcoming of the first boat, and the Ferencsik János Wind Orchestra concert at 5 p.m. in the Congress Center (tickets $5 at the music school or venue), playing classics, film scores, and pop hits. Boat trips run March 28-29.
April Adventures
April 1 hosts a Community Seder at the House of Jewish Excellences, open to all curious about history and food regardless of faith. April 2 sees the comedy Boeing Boeing – Leszállás Párizsban (Boeing Boeing – Landing in Paris), a Guinness record-holder for most performances worldwide, at the Congress Center ($23-$30). Boat trips April 3-6; rabbi-led synagogue tour, city walk, and visit to the House on April 4. Movie weeks April 6-12 and 13-19; walk-on cruises April 7-10 and 13-17. Film club April 7: Annika Iltis’s Barkley Marathons at Balaton Cinema. April 8 at 6 p.m., linguist Réka Szabó speaks on “Jókai and the Language of the Reform Era” at Arácsi Community House—free. Dixie and Latin music show April 10 at 7 p.m., Balaton Leisure Center. Boat trips April 11-12. Holocaust Remembrance on April 16. April 18 offers “Forest to Woods” hikes and Füredi Wheel Adventure ($11 each); boat trips April 18-19. Anima Musicae “Violin Whims” April 20 at 7 p.m. in the Congress Center plenary hall ($19-$24), featuring Pēteris Vasks’s Lonely Angel, Anton Arensky’s chamber symphony, and Camille Saint-Saëns’s Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. “Life to the Years” Festival April 20-23; walk-on cruises to April 24; movies to April 26.
May Mayhem
UltraBalaton April 23-26; 35th Jókai Days April 24-25 with bean soup cook-off April 25 in Koloska Valley; Balatonfüred Wine Competition April 26. Boat trips April 25-26, 27-30, May 1-3, 11-17; walk-on to April 30, May 4-10; movies April 27-May 3, May 4-10, 11-17. May 1: 4th Balatonfondo bike event and local history and Jókai Museum May Day picnic. Comedy Könnyű erkölcsök (Easy Virtues) May 2 at 7 p.m. Congress Center ($12). May 2 at 6 p.m., “Living Excellences” series with Lutheran pastor and writer Sándor Gabnai at House of Jewish Excellences, discussing careers, local life, and daily challenges. Film club May 5: Sergei Parajanov’s A gránátalma színe (The Color of Pomegranate). Balatonfüred Concours d’Elegance classic car beauty contest May 15-17; Sail Launch Ceremony and season-opening regatta May 16. Tour de Hongrie peloton rolls through May 17 around 2:26 p.m. on Route 71, circling Tesco roundabout to Fürdő Street then Balatonszőlős.
June Jamboree
Balatoni Fish and Wine Festival May 22-25; Children’s Weekend May 30-June 1; walk-on cruises June 1-5, 8-12, 15-18, 29-July 2; boat trips June 6-7, 13-14, 19-21, 26-28; movies June 1-7, 8-14, 15-21, 22-28. Comedy Szegény gazdagok (Poor Rich Folks) June 7 at Congress Center ($20-$21). Book-Wine-Jazz Festival June 11-14. Hungarian Film Festival June 18-20. International Guitar Festival June 20-27. Rabbi-led tours June 27.
July Heatwave
Rákász Gergely plays Mozart July 1 at Evangelical Church ($16). Allianz Bay Swim and SUP Challenge July 11. Dumafüred comedy fest July 17-26 ($20-$26). Rabbi-led tour July 18. Anna Festival July 21-26; White Ribbon – Szabolcs Izsák Memorial Race and 201st Anna Ball July 25. Boat trips July 3-5, 6-12, 13-19, 20-26, 27-Aug. 2; movies July 6-12, 13-19, 20-26, 27-Aug. 2, Aug. 3-9.
August Anchor
58th Raiffeisen Blue Ribbon Grand Prix July 30-Aug. 1. Boat trips Aug. 3-9. More movies Aug. 3-9. Balatonfüred’s summer sizzles on!
